DEVON GREATER HORSESHOE BAT
PROJECT
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
Devon Wildlife Trust, Cricklepit Mill, Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AB
Tel: (01392) 279244 Fax: (01392) 433221 E-mail: contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org
Web site: www.devonwildlifetrust.org Registered charity, no 213224
Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
Background
Greater horseshoe bats are among the rarest and most threatened bats in Europe and are
afforded protection under Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species
Regulations 2010. Devon represents an international stronghold for the species with the
largest recorded roost in Northern Europe. A number of initiatives have been developed
over recent years to help maintain Devon’s greater horseshoe bat populations. The
English Nature Greater Horseshoe Bat Project (1998-2003) was the most holistic, long
term and strategic in approach. Many other projects have focused on the protection of
individual roosts.
The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project has drawn together a wide partnership of
organisations that have an interest in the conservation of greater horseshoe bats. The
partnership has been constituted through formal Terms of Reference and Memoranda of
Agreement. We agree that by working in collaborative partnerships more coherent benefits
will be developed for this flagship species within Devon.
The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project has recently secured development phase
funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund which has enabled an exciting and ambitious
programme of works to commence.
Project partners include:
Organisation
Bat Conservation Trust
Devon Bat Group
Devon Biodiversity Record Centre
Devon County Council
Devon Wildlife Trust
East Devon AONB (Chair)
FWAG SouthWest
Natural England
North Devon AONB
South Devon AONB
Tamar Valley AONB
Blackdown Hills AONB
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Vincent Wildlife Trust
Name
Carol Williams
Steve Markham
Ian Egerton
Sarah Jennings
Peter Burgess
Pete Youngman
Roland Stonex
Phil Stocks
Elaine Hayes
Roger English
Corinna Woodall
Linda Bennett
Noel Hughes
Colin Morris
The project will deliver a holistic strategy to secure the long term persistence of the
species through widespread community engagement. A core component of this work is the
delivery of advice programmes to agricultural and landowning communities in sustenance
zones supporting greater horseshoe bat populations. The project will take a phased
approach to the delivery of advice with increasing resource available over the project
period (which will include a one year development phase and a 5 year delivery term).
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
Tenders are invited for the provision of advisory services during the first year development
period (June 2014 - May 2015). The purpose of these advisory services will be to build
widespread support for the project and to initiate lasting relationships in landowning
communities.
The successful contractor will deliver a total of 60 farm visits, 5 workshops, and 2
newsletters.
1. Advisory Visits
A total of 60 targeted whole holding advisory visits are to be carried out in priority areas.
Priority areas are defined by proximity to maternity roost locations. During this
development phase we are focusing within a number of zones, each defined by a 4km
radius from a maternity roost. The table below provides an indication of the roost location.
The priority areas and detailed themes for advisory visits will be refined through close
collaboration with the DGHB Project Manager and representatives of the DGHBP Steering
Group and Research and Monitoring Forum. Visits must be made to all priority areas. The
exact division of time between areas will be determined with Steering Group support. The
contractor will be responsible for selecting farms to visit and making initial contact – this
will need to be carried out in close collaboration with the Project Manager and
representatives of the Steering Group.
Maternity Roost Locations
Site
Caen Valley - Braunton
Gunnislake
Andrew’s Wood
Buckfastleigh
Bovey Tracey
Harbertonford
Chudleigh
Dartmouth
Berry Head
Branscombe
Southleigh
Grid Ref
SS4837
SX4372
SX7352
SX7466
SX7977
SX7956
SX8678
SX8752
SX9456
SY2089
SY2093
Aims of Advisory Visits

To build widespread support for the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project and
establish leads that can be developed, and conservation actions delivered, through the
project delivery phases.

To identify farms where large scale and ambitious conservation projects can be
initiated.
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery

To identify and work with landowner communities and groups (eg NFU, Family Farmers
Association) to raise awareness and engender broad support.

To identify and support farming champions in each priority area that have the capacity
to help inspire support in rural communities.

To clearly understand the management trends in farming systems operating in the
priority areas, the challenges that are faced and the likely impacts and intervention that
can be made by the DGHBP.

To support the Project Manager, partners and stakeholders in the identification of other
land management advisors working within project priority areas, with a view to
engaging their support in the promotion of greater horseshoe bat conservation.

To secure written support from landowners where future capital works and volunteer
events can be carried out during the project delivery phases.
The Advisory Visits
The farmer/land manager must be present for the duration of the visit to ensure maximum
benefit from the advice. The visit should take at least half a day to carry out. The visit will
balance the need to secure up-to-date information about the landholding and any farming
systems in place, with the provision of conservation land management advice.
The visit will focus on the:
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Farming system – what are the key drivers for change?
Environmental management carried out on farm
Opportunity assessments – what changes could be made?
Livestock parasite management – practices used?
Management of non-farming habitats – eg hedgerows, woodlands, orchards etc
Recommendations should be discussed on three levels:
 Farming and wildlife actions that cost nothing or very little
 Actions that make the most possible difference at the least cost
 Actions that create the ideal environmental and cost / benefit outcomes
Recommendations for sources of funding should be clearly identified and discussed.
Options for whole farm improvement should be discussed. Advice might address:
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Stocking numbers and movements around the farm
Livestock management, specifically for bat conservation
Management and restoration of semi-natural habitats
Wildlife rich habitat re-creation
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
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Hedgerow restoration and re-creation
Arable reversion
Use of non avermectin wormers
Opportunities for community engagement and access
Opportunities for volunteer land management tasks
Management of other farmland heritage features eg archaeology
Reporting
Each landholding visited will receive a concise report that will provide GIS map-based
advice and recommendations. Maps will include features of interest and areas where there
are opportunities for positive action. The maps will also include key priority species BAP
habitat records – these datasets will be made available to the project by the Devon
Biodiversity Records Centre.
Landholding visits will need to be fully documented with information including:

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Landowner contact details
Land holding GIS boundary
Farming system
Stocking density
Tenure
Condition of high wildlife value features
Barriers to uptake of environmental management
Requirements
The Project Manager will attend a number of advisory visits to provide support for the
contractor and to ensure that the quality and scope of advice provided is appropriate to the
requirements of the project.
The first land holding report undertaken will receive a Quality Assessment (QA) by the
Steering Group prior to the report being sent out to the farmer.
Any shortfalls in quality will need to be addressed by the contractor.
At least 2 presentations will be required at project planning or governance meetings to
present progress and to discuss any amendments required.
The contractor will identify greater horseshoe bat champions in all 11 priority roost
locations that are able to act as project supporters in their communities. This approach will
be dependent on strong relationships with landowning communities and will support a
‘ground up’ approach. The role of champion could involve:
 Using land holdings as demonstration sites or for walks and community events
 Using land holdings to promote voluntary work and practical tasks
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
 Development of science and evidence in support of measures to conserve greater
horseshoe bats
Milestones
A draft interim report is required to be circulated to the Partnership for comments by
January 16th 2015. At least 40 farm visits should have been completed before this
deadline. A final report and presentation to the partnership is required by March 31st 2015.
The milestones indicated are subject to the timing of employment of the DGHB Project
management staff.
2. Workshops
The contractor is required to arrange 5 on-farm workshops for landowners (4 hours with
refreshments) to look at management for greater horseshoe bats, and also to engender
wider support and input from the landowning and land managing communities.
These events should be informal and facilitate an environment where ideas and
information can be exchanged.
The events should take place in:
East Devon
South Devon X 2
Tamar Valley
North Devon
It is expected that around 20 farmers and land managers will attend each event. If fewer
than 8 attendees are booked, one week before the event, discussions must be held with
the GHB Project Manager about whether to boost the number of bookings or to reschedule
when more attendees are available.
The contractor will be responsible for producing the invitations and securing the Project
Manager’s approval. The invite will then be printed and sent out via the DGHBP. The
invite will be addressed to all key landowners in the sustenance zones that comprise the
priority areas.
The contractor will be responsible for taking bookings for the workshops, for securing a
database of all attendees and also managing feedback. Feedback forms will be provided
by the project.
The contractor will be responsible for Health and Safety and biosecurity at the workshops.
Workshops will provide a forum where knowledge can be shared, advice provided and
solutions tabled – topics for discussion could include:
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
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Farming systems – future changes, threats and opportunities
Stocking density – livestock grazing systems
Grazing links
Grassland restoration – donor and receptor sites
Integration of high value wildlife features into farming systems and the barriers
Barriers to the uptake of environmental management
Woodland management – opportunities for cooperation between landowners
Input into possible rural development land management options
Milestones
Workshops are to be held during the second and third quarter of the financial year.
3. Newsletter
The contractor is required to provide content to support the production of two project
newsletters.
Requirement
The newsletters are to be A3 folded and full colour – these will be circulated by email /
website and through a limited number of ‘hard copies’. The contractor will produce articles
and associated illustrations and photography to cover 2 A4 pages per newsletter.
The draft text is to be agreed by DGHB Project Manager.
Milestones
The first materials for the newsletter are to be finalised and circulated before September
2014.
The materials for the second newsletter are to be finalised and circulated before January
2015.
Reporting
An interim (month 5) and final report (month 11) will be produced.
The report must provide:
 Analysis of the land holdings visited – size, farming system, etc
 An overview of the environmental issues and solutions discussed during the visits
and workshops
 Identification of the barriers to involvement with the project
 Identification of barriers to the uptake of environmental management and schemes
 Synopsis of the needs of landowners, by sector, from the project to support
environmental management for bats
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
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Level of interest in the project from landowning communities
Identification of land where intensive restoration/re-creation operations are possible
Identification of champions
Identification of key bat habitats and flyways
Identification of specialist and targeted management for the bats – eg works to
roosts
Skills/knowledge requirements for deliverers
Below are the skills and experience we are looking for in the named contractor(s)
completing the work.
Skills
Knowledge, qualifications
& experience
Essential
Excellent communicators
with proven track record in
developing strong working
relationships with farmers,
landowners and their
representatives
Ability to provide clear,
concise written material in a
variety of formats for
different audiences
Good numeracy skills, able
to understand, interpret and
present project budget
information
Good at diplomacy and
negotiation
Good time management and
the ability to prioritise a
varied workload
An ability to work under
remote management and to
be self-motivated
Computer literate in all basic
packages
Advisers must have
experience of delivering
whole holding farming and
wildlife advice to the
livestock sectors.
Good knowledge of forestry,
timber and woodland
conservation and
management issues.
Experience in developing
Desirable
Public speaking to a variety
of audiences
GIS data management
through mapping systems
Advisers must be a qualified
advisor in other farming
systems
An understanding of wood
energy and sustainable
timber industries.
Experience in developing
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
applications and/or
assessing applications to
Environmental Stewardship
applications and/or
assessing applications to the
England Woodland Grants
Scheme.
Knowledge of the
developing NELMS
programmes
Personal attributes
Must have a full driving
licence and access to own
vehicle
Advisers must have a
Detailed knowledge of GHB
demonstrable track record of and landscape requirements
delivering training/advice on
threatened species
dependent on farmed
environments
Highly motivated and
professional with high
standards of work
Tactful and sensitive, with
the ability to build trust and
respect with a wide variety
of individuals, stakeholders
and interest groups
Ability to work both
independently and within a
small team.
Ability to prioritise, plan and
organise work
Contractual Governance
Contracts for the work will be drafted. It is important to note at this stage that contracts will
include:
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Agreement to provide all information secured through the contract to the GHBP
partnership.
Agreement that all intellectual rights will be held by the partnership.
Agreement that the contractor will be bound by the Data Protection Act and relevant
employment law
Guidelines for tendering
Applications are invited to undertake the above work by contract, for the period 1 July
2014 to 31 March 2015 inclusive. This will include regular reporting and meetings with the
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Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Brief for Land Holding Advice Delivery
DGHB Project Manager. All work must be completed by no later than Tuesday 31
March 2015.
To submit your proposal please use the ‘Pro forma for Response to Land Holding Advice
Delivery Tender’ available with this briefing. Please e-mail Wendy Fernandez (details
below) if you require a Word version of the form.
Costs for the work, should not exceed a total maximum of £25,920 (including VAT).
Please provide all budget information inclusive of VAT.
The project will also provide reimbursements for travel expenses, costs of materials and
hospitality. Please itemise these costs separately from your project budget.
The contract will be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tender, as
assessed against the following criteria:

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Cost – 50%
Skills/knowledge of proposed deliverers* – 30%
Capacity to deliver – 10%
Proposed approach to delivery – 10%
*Evaluation will be based on an assessment of the CVs held for proposed deliverers
specified for each priority area (plus any supplementary information on these individuals
contained in tender bids) against the skills/knowledge requirements for the contract (as set
out in this specification). The contract will be awarded to a single supplier.
Interviews will be held with potential contractors to assess their suitability. Interviews will
be held on Monday 23 June.
Proposals can be sent electronically or by hard copy, and should be received no later
than 5pm on Friday 6 June, sent to Wendy Fernandez (HR and Central Services Team
Leader) at the following address:
Wendy Fernandez
HR and Central Services Team Leader
Devon Wildlife Trust
Cricklepit Mill
Commercial Road
Exeter
EX2 4AB
jobapps@devonwildlifetrust.org
Telephone: 01392 279244
For an informal dicussion and/or any questions relating to the work delivery please speak
to Pete Burgess (Conservation Manager) on 01392 279244.
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